Glendon finished the two letters, returned them to his wife with a shrug
of his shoulders, saying, "Sweet old cat! She certainly had it in for
me from the very first day we met!"
Katherine waited for a violent tirade, but Glendon turned on his heel
and left the room. It was a relief to her, but the uncertainty was not
dispelled.
Four days went by, and then Katherine broached the topic.
"Jim, I've got to answer that letter."
He was sitting on the porch step smoking, his thoughts evidently
far-afield.
"What letter?"
"About the legacy and sending Donnie to school," was the woman's reply.
She knew that the future of the child depended on the answer she waited
from the child's father. Her hands lay in her lap, gripped tensely, her
eyes looked pleadingly at the face of the man.
"Do as you please about it," the words were indifferent. "I haven't any
time to waste talking over these things. This drouth will about wind up
my remnant of credit in Arizona. It won't make any difference to you,
for you're heeled for life, if I am out of the way."
She tried to tell him her appreciation, "Jim! I will stand by you, no
matter what comes! With Donnie's education provided for, we can surely
win out together!" she moved impulsively to his side, laid her hand on
his shoulder and stooped over to kiss him, but Glendon's shoulder jerked
away roughly, as he answered, "Oh, for God's sake, Katherine, stop your
melodramatics and let me alone!"
Despite the rebuff, her heart was singing with joy as she hurried to
write the Trust Company, and stated that she could have Donnie ready to
start East in two weeks; but that she had not the money, nor could she
come with him on that account. The drouth in Arizona had stagnated all
cattle business temporarily.
Katherine explained to the child that his going away was with her full
consent, and that it did not mean he was to stay away, except during
the school term. They could be together for the summer vacations. She
also told him of the strange old aunt who had cared for her own
education, and who, though dead, now made it possible for him to go to a
good school, such as his father could not afford. She made him
understand, too, that his father had given consent, and without such
consent, no one could have done anything.
The reply from the Trust Company informed her that one of the members of
the firm would meet the child at Willcox on a date specified. That
business matters had made a trip to California imperative, and the
return trip would be arranged via Willcox, if the child were there at
the time.
Katherine timidly told this to her husband, but met with no opposition.
His acquiescence surprised and touched her. She ascribed it to his
desire to make amends, and her gratitude was pathetic. Yet, knowing his
vacillating character, she hastened to perfect arrangements. Not until
she saw the child in charge of the man who met them at Willcox, and
accompanied them to the depot platform, did she feel safe. She clasped
the boy in a last, close embrace and watched him wave from the window of
the train. The "stone wall had toppled over," and the hideous fear of
losing her boy completely was laid to rest.
Aunt Jane had not answered her letter but now Katherine knew that the
old lady had understood the situation and set her wits to work to aid
the niece she really loved.
Before the train pulled out Doctor Powell crossed the street, and stood
talking with Donnie, thus helping both in their battle to be brave.
Then, Katherine and Powell stood side by side, watching the train pull
away until it disappeared in the gap between the Graham and Dos Cabezas
ranges. But, long before the crags intervened, it had vanished from the
mother's eyes in a blur of tears.
"Tell me," Powell spoke, "Is Donnie going to his grandfather?" He was
thinking of the paper that reposed in the hands of his lawyers, and
wondered if Glendon had dared defy him.
"No," Katherine smiled happily, "Jim gave up that intention some time
ago. It was a legacy from an aunt of mine, which provides for Donnie's
education. So, you see, you were right. The stone wall has toppled
over!"